Strange clunking noise

[john shelman]

My 2003 Expedition....it has developed a strange clunk sound that occurs occasionally and is getting more frequent and louder. It seems to be coming from the back. Driving straight down the road, everything seems normal, even on streets that are bumpy, It seems to occur when there is a situation that moves the vehicle from side to side, like in a turn. Any ideas on what it could be?

 

[Boostedbus]

I’d give all the rear suspension a good look over, all mount points, spring perches, stabilizer links , etc.... If all looks good externally then I would pull cover off of rear differential and give it the visual inspection.

 

[John Stephan]

There is a large bracket that mounts to the pumpkin of the rear diff to attach it to the vehicle. Those are known to fail.

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[Hamfisted]

Have the rear lower "ball joints" been replaced yet ? They're actually a bushing, not a tradition "ball joint". But with age they become soft and allow too much movement at the joint and that will show itself as a clunk in slow speed turns with the noise coming from the rear wheel areas. You'll need a bushing pusher tool set to push them out, but it's not difficult.


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[john shelman]

Thanks everyone, I'll check those things our, or actually get my friend to do that, I'm a good newspaper reporter, but not much of a mechanic.